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Journalism of Courage
Cristiano Ronaldo has put a timeline on when he will be ending his career but the Portuguese kept it vague. The 40-year-old, who is looking to make a record sixth appearance in the FIFA World Cup in next year’s edition, first joked that he might play for 10 more years before stating that the World Cup will be his last.
“Soon for me means in 10 years… No, I’m joking,” Ronaldo said via video call at a Saudi-hosted global summit on tourism and investment.
“I’m really enjoying the moment right now. As you know, in football, when you reach some age, you count the months very quick.
“I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. I’m enjoying my game in the national team. But of course, let’s be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years.”
Portugal are on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and Ronaldo confirmed that this will be his last appearance in the tournament. “Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old (at the World Cup),” said Ronaldo, who is also the top scorer in history with 143 international goals.
“I gave everything for football. I’ve been in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”
Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal in 2003 and has thus far scored 143 goals in 225 appearances, both of which are records in international football. He is closing in on a milestone tally of 1000 career goals, sitting on 950 for club and country.
Ronaldo made his professional debut as a teenager for Sporting in 2002 before becoming a global star at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles and one Champions League. He was then subject of a world record move to Real Madrid and Ronaldo justified that price tag and more, becoming the club’s all-time highest goalscorer and helping them to an astonishing four Champions League titles, including three on the bounce. He also won two Spanish league titles. Ronaldo then won the Serie A twice with Juventus and has been playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr since 2023.
